Sustainability and Climate Adaptation Director

The County of Marin is seeking a Sustainability and Climate Adaptation Director to lead countywide climate action and sustainability initiatives. This full-time position involves overseeing the Sustainability Team, coordinating adaptation planning, and collaborating with various stakeholders to combat climate change. The role requires strategic planning and public engagement while promoting renewable energy, reducing emissions, and improving energy efficiency. The job is located in San Rafael, CA.
Salary : $174,636.80 - $194,043.20 Annually
Location : San Rafael, CA
Job Type: Full Time, Regular
Job Number:
Department: Office of the County Executive
Opening Date: 01/23/2026
Vacancies: 1
Weekly Schedule: 40 hours
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO): The County of Marin is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Persons of color, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and adults of all ages are strongly encouraged to apply.
Individuals with Disabilities: If you are a person with a disability and are unable to complete an online application or require an accommodation to participate in a recruitment, you must contact Human Resources at least five work days in advance of the testing step or interview. Please contact the Human Resources Staffing Division at (CRS DIAL 711) .

ABOUT US

The Office of the County Executive is responsible for implementing the policy direction of the Marin County Board of Supervisors and supporting the effective delivery of public services across 22 departments. The office provides leadership on countywide initiatives, coordinates interdepartmental and cross-jurisdictional programs.
Our work includes advancing the Board's strategic priorities, overseeing the County's $865 million budget, and leading cross-cutting efforts in housing, climate, equity, emergency preparedness, homelessness, and more.

The County of Marin's Climate Program is a new function within the Office of the County Executive - and part of the broader reorganization approved by the Board of Supervisors in 2025.
ABOUT THE POSITION
The new Sustainability and Climate Adaptation Director will lead this countywide effort to accelerate climate action, coordinate adaptation planning, and embed sustainability principles across all County operations - and in the community in partnership with external agencies. The Director will oversee the existing Sustainability Team, which leads Marin's comprehensive greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction work - including promoting renewable energy in coordination with local utilities and implementers; encouraging green building and businesses; reducing emissions from transportation; and improving energy efficiency of private and public properties across the County. The position also oversees the County's Sea Level Rise (SLR) initiatives, including a governance and funding framework to strengthen coordination among jurisdictions and advance long-term resilience investments.

Working with other County Departments, this position will also oversee the (RASP) processes. The Director will also be responsible for hiring 2-3 planning staff to support this effort.

Working collaboratively with County departments, cities and towns, regional agencies, and Marin's many nonprofit and environmental partners, the Director will serve as a central leader uniting local efforts to combat climate change and prepare and protect Marin's communities, economy, and natural landscapes.
This is a defining leadership role for a big thinker who can connect the dots across policy, implementation, and partnerships. The Climate Director will represent the County Executive and Board of Supervisors in leading a forward-looking, equity-driven climate agenda - turning broad goals into measurable action. The position combines high-level strategic planning with grassroots coordination, public engagement, and interagency collaboration.

This position works full time on-site in the historic Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Civic Center, with flexibility for remote work one day per week.
For more information, please view the
ABOUT YOU

Key Responsibilities
Direct the work of the Sustainability Team and Sea Level Rise Unit, integrating GHG mitigation and adaptation strategies across departments and community initiatives. Oversee and drive development of the RSAP process. Convene and facilitate coordination among County departments, cities and towns, special districts, community-based organizations, and regional/state/federal partners. Lead implementation of the County's Climate Action Plan, tracking progress and ensuring alignment with regional, state, and federal goals. Oversee governance, policy, and funding strategies for countywide sea level rise response. Represent the County Executive in regional and statewide climate forums and partnerships. Manage and pursue grants, philanthropic partnerships, and funding opportunities to support sustainability and adaptation projects. Communicate progress and challenges to the County Executive, Board of Supervisors, and the public through reports, presentations, and community engagement. Supervise staff, consultants, and interdepartmental teams with a focus on collaboration and professional development.
The Highly Qualified Candidate

The ideal candidate is a visionary and collaborative leader who understands that meaningful climate action in Marin depends on meaningful cooperation between jurisdictions, sectors, and communities. They bring deep knowledge of climate policy and sustainability best practices, combined with the strategic and interpersonal skills to convene diverse partners and move complex initiatives forward. They are a systems thinker, able to see the big picture and connect daily decisions to long-term outcomes. They thrive when handling a range of complex - and everyday issues - balancing ambition with pragmatism. The ideal candidate values data-driven decision-making, transparent communication with their team and County leaders, and equitable approaches that prioritize Marin's most vulnerable communities. Importantly, they care deeply about Marin - its landscapes, its people, and its legacy of environmental leadership - and are ready to apply their skills in service of the County. This role is an opportunity to steward Marin's legacy into the next generation and ensure we continue to be a model for climate resilience and sustainability.

QUALIFICATIONS:
KNOWLEDGE OF
Program planning, administration and evaluation. Climate mitigation and adaptation policy frameworks. Environmental planning and sustainability best practices. Government budgeting. Grant development and contract management. Community engagement and environmental justice principles. Relevant federal, state, and local environmental laws and policies.
ABILITY TO
Apply strong leadership and facilitation skills in cross-sector environments. Think strategically and turn vision into action. Comfortably and effectively engage with elected officials, media, and diverse stakeholder groups. Manage teams, partnerships, and collaborative projects. Coordinate activities with other departments, programs and outside agencies. Navigate complex political, regulatory, and organizational systems. Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. Demonstrate proficiency in performance measurement, reporting, and data-driven decision-making.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS & LICENSES
Any combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates the required knowledge, skills, and leadership capabilities. A typical path would include:
Education: Bachelor's degree in environmental policy, public administration, urban planning, natural resources, or related field. A master's degree is highly desirable.
Experience: At least five years of progressively responsible experience in sustainability, climate change, or public policy, including two years in a management or leadership role. Experience in the public sector and leading cross-functional or cross-agency initiatives is highly desirable.

T he Competitive Benefits Program Includes:
Retirement: A defined benefit retirement plan governed by the County Employees Retirement Law of 1937 (CERL), which can be reciprocal with other retirement systems. For more information visit and Deferred Compensation: The County does not participate in Social Security except for a mandatory Medicare contribution. A voluntary deferred compensation 457 plan is administered by Nationwide to enhance retirement planning. Health/Dental/Vision/Insurance : Cafeteria-style health and welfare benefit plan that allows employees to choose from a variety of health, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance plans. Leave Allowances : The County offers generous vacation, personal, and sick leave, plus 12 paid holidays. Management Leave : 40 hours per fiscal year.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Application Process: To apply, please submit a resume and respond to the supplemental questions. Application materials will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and only the most qualified candidates will be invited to move forward in the recruitment process. This recruitment will remain open until filled. Early applications are encouraged, as initial screening interviews are tentatively scheduled after February 9th.
All applicants will receive email notifications regarding their status in the recruitment process. Please be sure to check your spam settings to allow our emails to reach you. You may also log into your account to view these emails.

Disaster Service Workers: All County of Marin employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section ). Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer: If you have questions regarding equal employment opportunities, please contact Roger Crawford, Equal Employment Opportunity Director, at . If you have questions concerning this position announcement, please contact Alisa Samuel at
PLEASE NOTE : The benefits described herein do not apply to temporary (contingent) or to part-time employees that work less than 50%.

COUNTY OF MARIN BENEFITS: GENERAL
Below are some of the excellent benefits the County offers. More information about our benefits can be found on the

Paid Time Off : Competitive vacation accrual; 12 holidays per year; and generous sick leave accruals. Additional types of paid leaves are available for some bargaining units.

Health Plan : Choice of four health plans (two Kaiser HMOs, Western Health Advantage HMO, and an Anthem Blue Cross PPO) along with dental through Delta Dental PPO, and vision through Vision Service Plan (VSP). There is a County contribution toward the premiums (the contribution amount varies depending on coverage tier elected such as employee only, employee + 1, employee + family). Plus, the County offers excellent Life Insurance, Disability, Flexible Spending Plans, a Dependent Care Assistance Program, professional development and more.

Retirement : Defined benefit plan under the County Employees Retirement Act of 1937. More information can be found online at 457 Plan : Choice of pre-tax or post-tax (Roth) employee contribution up to the IRS annual maximum.

Retiree Medical : The County provides access to group health plan coverage to eligible retirees.

For specific questions regarding the employment process, please contact Human Resources at . For additional details about the benefits or retirement, please contact the Benefits Division at .
• IMPORTANT NOTE: Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice.
01

Please describe your connection to, or interest in, Marin County, and explain why you are interested in this role specifically for the County of Marin. In your response, highlight how Marin's unique environmental, geographic, historic and governance landscape shapes its climate leadership what stands out to you about Marin's approach to sustainability, and where you see opportunities for continued innovation.
02

Please describe your experience leading or implementing sea level rise adaptation efforts. How have you coordinated across jurisdictions and partners to move projects from planning to implementation, and how would you apply those lessons to Marin County's coastal and bayside communities over the next decade?
03

Describe a time when you led a cross-sector or multi-agency team through a complex environmental or policy initiative. What was your leadership philosophy, how did you build trust and shared purpose among diverse partners, and what did you learn from the experience?
Required Question